Premiership Rugby responded to media reports of a potential takeover by financial equity firm CVC on Wednesday by saying they were considering various options for growth but no decision was imminent.

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Born in New Zealand to English parents, Shields, 27, agreed to sign for Wasps in November 2017 and made his international debut for Eddie Jones' team a few months later during England's summer tour of South Africa.

The former Hurricanes captain finished the season with the Super Rugby side on July 28 and missed Wasps' first match of the new Premiership season last weekend -- a 21-10 away win against Worcester.

There will be plenty of interest in Shields' debut. His decision to sign for Wasps and declare himself available for England selection, despite being capped by the All Blacks at under-20 level, was criticised by leading figures in the game, such as World Rugby vice-chairman Agustin Pichot.

Lima Sopoaga is also in line to make his first Premiership appearance this weekend. The New Zealand fly-half arrived from Super Rugby side Southland during the summer as a replacement for Danny Cipriani and has been named on Wasps' bench for Saturday's match.